Chitchat Guess the religion: Gunmen hold foreigners and locals hostage in restaurant

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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016...angladeshi-ca/

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Dhaka army official says 20 killed in 'Isil' attack on restaurant after commandos rescue 13 hostages

Attackers take hostages at Dhaka restaurant Play! 00:39

Harriet Alexander Andrew Marszal, Dhaka Chris Graham

2 July 2016 • 8:45am

Six to eight gunmen have attacked popular restaurant in Dhaka
Attackers held about 20-30 hostages, including foreigners
13 hostages freed as commandos storm restaurant
20 killed in attack
Islamic State claim responsibility
Attackers carrying swords and crude bombs, says manager

Bangladeshi police stormed a restaurant in the capital Dhaka and rescued up to 13 hostages on Saturday after an attack claimed by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil)reportedly killed 20 people.

Gunmen attacked the upscale cafe in the diplomatic area of Dhaka late on Friday and had been holding about 20 hostages, including foreigners, before police poured into the building to try to free those stuck inside.

A police officer at the scene said that when security forces tried to enter the premises at the beginning of the siege they met a hail of bullets and grenades. At least six militants were killed in the operation, while two police officers died.

The raid to free the hostages began at 7.40am local time, around 10 hours after the siege began. The gunfire stopped about 45 minutes later.
Eyewitness captures dramatic Dhaka bakery raid on camera Play! 00:55

Italian and Japanese citizens were reported to be among those held hostage.
An army vehicle at the scene of the attack in Dhaka.
An army vehicle at the scene of the attack in Dhaka. Credit: AP

Earlier one suspected attacker was reportedly injured, arrested and taken to hospital.

Two policemen were killed by gunfire that erupted as police surrounded the Holey Artisan Bakery restaurant in the upmarket Gulshan area.

The affluent suburb of Gulshan is popular with expats and Westerners.

Sumon Reza, an employee of the restaurant who witnessed the attack, escape, told Bangladeshi media the assailants had taken hostages and shouted “Allahu Akbar” before detonating explosive devices.
An injured man is taken away from the scene in Dhaka.
An injured man is taken away from the scene in Dhaka. Credit: AP



He told the Daily Star website: “They blasted several crude bombs causing wide-scale panic among everyone. I managed to flee during this confusion,” he said. “They came armed with pistols, swords and bombs.”

Bangladesh has seen a series of attacks recently, mostly using machetes, targeting bloggers, atheists and religious minorities.

James Moriarty, former US ambassador to Bangladesh, described the area as “the epicentre of the entire country,” surrounded by residential compounds and embassies.

He told CNN: “Because of the time of evening, and in Ramadan, a lot of people would be out on the street with family and friends.

“It tells me that they are trying to create a high profile incident to drive home the message that they can attack any time, anywhere.”


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